Why study German and French at APSU?
This Foreign Language, BA degree path features two foreign languages, which is sure to create a student immersed in German and French. This dual language major can prepare students for global job market opportunities.
Austin Peay’s foreign language faculty is deeply vested not only in the area in which we teach but in our students as well. We tend to have smaller classes than larger universities, and the result of this is that our students get an enormous amount of individual attention. We work hard to provide opportunities for students to have as much direct contact with languages as possible, such as immersion experiences and study abroad programs to several countries, such as Greece, France, Germany, Spain, and Argentina. Furthermore we provide opportunities for undergraduate research projects in our various areas of expertise.
What will I learn?
Our students acquire a firm understanding of one foreign language and culture, and will learn the rudiments of a second foreign language and culture. At a deeper level, it means that our students will acquire the skills requisite to learning other languages, and thus, they will become comfortable in the languages and cultures of other countries. At its most profound level, students can break down the barriers of time and space and can see the world through the eyes of previous generations. Consequently, instead of relying on translations for understanding the histories and cultures of various peoples, our students come into direct contact with the minds of others.
The Freshmen Seminar degree requirement completed by most students is APSU 1000. The course is delivered in a small-class setting with like-minded students led by a faculty member and a peer leader. The interdisciplinary course is intended to support first-semester students and provide them with a foundation for university success. Emphasis is placed on student engagement, university learning success strategies, support services, library literacy, financial literacy, and academic and career planning. The first class meeting of APSU 1000 during fall semesters is on Freshmen Convocation Day.
The general education core is designed to develop critical competencies in written communication, oral communication, mathematical analysis, and critical thinking skills. Students at APSU select coursework in the general education core in the areas of Communication, Humanities and Fine Arts, Social and Behavioral Sciences, History, Natural Sciences, and Mathematics. While the general education core requirements for graduation can be met by choosing courses from each of these areas, some programs of study require lower division courses that serve as prerequisites for upper division courses. Students should consult the sample 4-year plans and confer with their academic advisors as they choose their general education core courses.
What engagement opportunities are available to APSU students?
APSU fosters a positive campus environment that encourages active participation in university life. Organizations and honor societies in which students can engage are …………..coming soon
APSU students engage in HIP curricular and co-curricular experiences that advance their learning and knowledge. Opportunities include first-year seminar, first-year learning communities, common reading experience 'The Peay Read', undergraduate research, study abroad, service and community-based learning, internships, e-portfolio development, and capstone courses & projects.
What Foreign Language Majors with German and French Specializations Do After Graduation?
Not surprisingly, foreign language majors end up in a wide variety of jobs. We have had students who majored in foreign languages go on to become high school teachers and college professors, as one might expect. However, our majors have also gone on to work in government agencies, including one student who is the Chief Logistics Officer for Kandahar. Finally, foreign languages serve as a gateway for a variety of careers, including international business, international law, law enforcement, military translators, and many others.